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Post by mylittlescholar on Dec 17, 2019 14:48:37 GMT -5
Hi Diane! I'm not sure how this would fit into your planning, but I wanted to say that one simple question that you asked me when I was in your shoes changed my whole approach... you asked something like What do I want to get done? That's when I inventoried my boxes and divided by the time remaining. It was like getting a bucket of ice water poured on my head--shocking, I didn't like what I saw, but I needed that, SO much!
At this point I started setting up my milestones for what I needed to get done each week (I only had eight) also factoring in everything else in life. I realized that I needed to plan for only three actual work days each week. Multiplying that and dividing by the number of boxes was another bucket of ice water, but it gave me concrete targets (that's where the 30 boxes a week/10 boxes a session came from) that served me so well! I did not make my target (as I didn't have to) but I got so much farther along than I would have.
I also wrote down all of the events on the schedule, which helped me plan ahead for them. I had to start saying NO to things, and figuring out how to get things accomplished, and ignore all of the reasons that they might not work out.
I can't thank you enough! Except by returning the favor. If you want to see the fruits of your suggestion, and how it played out, here is where it all began.
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Post by dtesposito on Dec 17, 2019 20:55:58 GMT -5
Well, thank you scholar, I don't remember exactly what I said, but I'm glad it helped you! I do like dividing up work depending on how much time is left, because without a plan we have no idea if we're on track to making our goal. And, it's so easy to fritter away time until the deadline is upon us and then we have to panic when we realize how much is left to do.
I don't have a firm deadline, and that makes it hard--my moving day depends on several things--the renovations in my sister's house, how my sister's health holds up, what happens with my senior client's dog (yes, that's actually going to figure into my calculation)--even how my remaining money holds out now that I'm only working the equivalent of about 10 hours a week.
Plus I have such a variety of things to do before the move, that I don't know if I can divide things accurately. But, it would be a good idea to make a more detailed list and make sure I'm checking off progress every week. I will probably be distracted through the holidays, but in January I will feel like distractions are over and I can concentrate better on a timeline.
Even if I don't have a moving day, there are several things that I can aim to have done by the earliest possible moving time, which I think would be mid-summer.
Scholar, thank you for the reminder!
Diane
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Post by dtesposito on Dec 23, 2019 18:35:06 GMT -5
This past week I concentrated on books.
Purge list:
144 books 4 partial rolls of gift wrap 8 miscellaneous cross stitch items 1 unopened cross stitch kit 1 partly finished cross stitch project 1 4-drawer cardboard dresser 1 roasting pan 2 silicone baking items 1 toolbox 1 bowl 1 plant pot 1 storage box 2 frames 1 electric cupcake maker
Diane
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Post by Unswamping on Dec 24, 2019 19:47:25 GMT -5
Diane stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas! What an impressive purge list! I like Scholars suggestion of diving up the goal by the amount of time. Im actually going to try that for myself. Hugs
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Post by dtesposito on Dec 31, 2019 9:50:39 GMT -5
Thank you swampy, I love to be able to make a nice long list of what I'm releasing!
I forgot to post here yesterday, here is last week's list.
78 books 13 crosswood puzzle magazines 45 VHS tapes 1 2-shelf bookcase 1 4-shelf bookcase 1 bowl 6 storage boxes 7 storage bottles 1 storage jar 1 zippered storage bag 1 15-inch macaw feather from a beloved bird at the animal hospital I used to work for 1 decorative pillow 8 rolls of dollhouse wallpaper 1 garland 4 electric timers 1 pack stationery 1 crochet pattern booklet 3 animal figurines 1 animal shelter planning guide 3 cans of cat food 1 binder 2 cookie sheets 1 soup pot 1 roll of tape 3 outlet extenders 1 bottle of Febreze 5 notepads 1 bottle White-Out 1 box of Christmas cards 1 reusable shopping bag 1 framed print 1 cat feeding mat 2 rolls partly used gift wrap
Diane
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Post by joyinvirginia on Dec 31, 2019 9:57:10 GMT -5
Happy New Year's Eve Diane! You are doing so well! I hope you have continued success working towards your goal in the coming year! edited because I left out a word: success!
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Post by dtesposito on Dec 31, 2019 19:19:28 GMT -5
Thank you joy, Happy New year to you as well!
Diane
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Post by MamaAngie on Jan 2, 2020 11:46:35 GMT -5
You are doing great on your purging Diane!! When do you move?
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Post by desposito on Jan 25, 2020 17:11:24 GMT -5
Good heavens, how time flies! I haven't posted here since the new year started.
Angie, I don't have a firm moving date, it could be as early as mid-summer or as late as the end of fall. I was originally hoping for fall but now I think it would be ideal to move in July or August. Which is why I keep saying I have plenty of time, and no excuse not to have a totally organized move by the time the date actually gets here.
I kept track of 3 weeks following my last post, I will post them by week.
Week #1
72 books 1 light fixture cover 6 miscellaneous hardware items 2 pair scissors 17 coasters 1 cooling rack 1 recipe booklet 2 storage baskets 1 pair slippers 13 cat toys
Week #2
17 books 1 storage box 2 packages of labels 1 set of Halloween magnets 2 puzzles 1 journal 2 change purses 1 vinyl shelf extender 2 notebooks 1 huge mirror from the back of a dresser 1 big 2 shelf storage bin
Week #3
198 magazines 14 books Parts of a Scrabble game 1 2-shelf storage thing that was in my entryway closet, top shelf 12 unopened rolls of gift wrap a 3 inch high stack of scrap paper 1 business card holder 1 adding machine tool
Since then, I just added a few items as they came up but didn't keep track of when I got rid of them--I will start keeping track again this next week.
They are:
16 bottles of old cat meds 4 expired cartons of Nurturall 1 hair dryer 2 bowl lids 6 music newspapers 4 old computer keyboards
I slowed down on the purging, partly because I am concentrating on my keeper books--I have an ongoing list of what I'm getting rid of and will report those all at once when I'm done.
I also slowed down because I had to get a new computer a couple of weeks ago, which is a huge trauma for me because I'm so tech-phobic and it takes me so long to do anything, it took me a long time to get it set up to where it is now, which is not at all where it needs to be yet.
In other moving news, the construction has started on my sister's second floor. I didn't think of it as construction before because the original plan was to put down some new flooring and paint, but it has evolved into a complete bathroom remodel which will be expensive, but so worth it in the end. Especially since I have had disaster bathrooms throughout much of my lifetime.
That's partly why I would like to move the move up--it will be nice to be in a place where the plumbing works.
Diane
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Post by Unswamping on Jan 29, 2020 15:27:57 GMT -5
Diane you are doing terrific! That is such sn impressive list. Im so glad the bathroom is getting redone at sis's house, yes it will be so nice to have a beautiful, functional bathroom. Cheering you on!
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Post by desposito on Feb 4, 2020 19:48:27 GMT -5
Thank you swampy!
The only purges I have to report last week are 17 books and 1 bottle of white out! I actually got rid of more books but they are on my "keeper" book tally which I won't report til I'm finished with them.
I also got another chance to go out to my sister's yesterday and saw the work in progress. The bathroom shower stall is in, the guy was installing the beautiful ceramic tile on the floor while I was there. He's wonderful, what a nice, talented person.
I was able to do more measuring and now have to figure some things out--I don't know if everything I wanted to fit into a particular room will fit.
But actually going out there and seeing how things were progressing was really uplifting, I'm really starting to look forward to the move.
Diane
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Post by desposito on Feb 15, 2020 13:10:57 GMT -5
Forgot to post this past Monday so here's the purge list from the first week in February.
31 books 8 antique books 12 textbooks 1 bowl 3 plumbing tools 1 tape dispenser 1 piece of wood 1 storage bin 1 garbage can 1 pair slippers 1 iron cat-shaped boot scraper 1 antique advertising sign 1 tire pump 1 sweater 1 pair pants 4 scrub shirts 2 pair leg warmers
The renovation is moving along, one room was plastered this past week and will be sanded and painted this coming week. I think the bathroom is almost done.
I did a little research on moving companies, changing my address, and where the branches of my current bank are if I stay with them.
Diane
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Post by Jannie on Feb 16, 2020 12:52:55 GMT -5
You seem very focused, at this rate YOU CANNOT FAIL. Just keep going!!!
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Post by 1rarebeautifuldove on Feb 17, 2020 21:49:55 GMT -5
You're doing great, Diane. I would like to move from my house too into a more affordable and smaller one. I found a cute house, but need to get this place in order more to even really consider it. having a move I want to make is helping to give me focus. I will have to have my mom's help on some of the getting rid of stuff, but for now will concentrate on my part. Not wanting to schlep stuff to a fresh start is a great incentive to purge as much as I can possibly purge.
I am really excited about moving to another house, one that is in town. You're well on your way with this which is wonderful. I only got this idea embedded in my mind over this weekend. So, as an act of faith, that I could do this, I am going to be starting to prepare to move, that is IF I can get out of this house and into one that I really really like, just as it is, (one that has not been screwed up with so-called improvements)
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Post by desposito on Feb 17, 2020 23:30:04 GMT -5
Thank you so much Jannie!
Dove, so you're thinking about moving too! Whether you do so now or later, thinking in terms of moving makes such a difference in being able to let things go. Part of it is--I want this move to happen and I'm willing to sacrifice things to make it so. And part is just practical--I'm realizing that a lot of the things I've kept during purges these last couple of years are things that I kept because I could--things that I thought "well, they're tucked neatly away in the closet and I'm not in love with them but since I can, I guess I'll keep them for now." Well, for now is over with, and the time has come to let them go.
I agree with you about house renovations--so many beautiful old houses have been ruined by having original woodwork painted over, windows replaced by ones that are not at all in character with the house, jacuzzis and track lighting added--yuck. I prefer old-fashioned. Updated electricals and plumbing, but the old look. I think we're in the minority, though!
Good luck making the decision!
Diane
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